Combined valise and steps for the-atrical dance entertainers



S. E. FEIST Filed Nov. 19, 1936 INVENTOR oct. 26, 1937.

COMBINED VALISE AND STEPS FOR THEATRICAL DANCE ENTERTAINERS ESSES Patented Oct. 26, 1937 COME-JED VALISE AND STEPS FOR THE- ATRICAL DANCE ENTERTAINERS Sidney E. Feist, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 19, 1936, Serial No. 111,656

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved combined valise and steps for use by entertainers, an object being to provide a structure which may be carried as a valise and. function as a valise while during the presentation of an entertainment the device may be unfolded and set up to present steps for the use of dancers or other entertainers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for toe dancers and tap dancers wherein easily formed steps are produced with the parts so arranged that they will properly set on the floor without being secured thereto.

An additional object, more specifically, is to provide a pair of steps for entertainers which may be folded quickly into compact form so as to be readily transported and when folded to present valise compartments for the reception of shoes and other wearing apparel of the entertainer.

In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the device shown in Fig. 1 after the same has been unfolded and adjusted to present a pair of steps;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View through the structure as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals, l and 2 indicate base sections while 3 indicates a top section. These three sections form the principal part of the device and the respective base sections are connected to the top section 3 by suitable hinges 4 and 5. The bottom of the base sections l and 2 are each provided with a door 6 which is shown as a slide and normally held closed by a suitable fastener, as for instance the turn-buckle l. The respective sides 8 and 9 form the base of the steps as shown in Fig. 2. The sections l and 2 are each formed with risers H) and H and a half-length riser i2. Suitable treads l3 and it are alsov provided so that each base section will present two steps. The top section 3 is provided with a half-length riser l5 and a full-size riser l6 as Well as a tread H. The riser l 6 merges into a top platform it.

By reason of the structure just described there are presented three steps on each side of the device and the platform it! which may be considered an additional step. It will be observed that the outside wall IQ of the top section 3 forms the bottom of the top section and rests upon the parts 20 and 2i of sections l and 2. By reason of the step formation of the base sections l and 2 there is really a notch formed when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1 so that the top section 3 may be nested therein and complete the rectangular valise structure. A hand grip 22 is connected to the topof the top section 3 and a belt or other fastener 23 connects the sections l and 2. When it is desired to use the valise as shown in Fig. 1 as a pair of steps, fastener 23 is released and the base sections l and 2 swung around on hinges 4 and 5 until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 2. The device is then placed on the floor and is immediately ready for use. After it has been used the base sections may be swung back to their former positions and the valise is ready to be carried away.

After the device has been adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 2, a toe dancer or tap dancer may perform the desired steps on the floor and then approach the steps. The dancer may move up the steps in any desired way and if desired pause on either step or on the platform 3. The dancer may come down the steps in the same order as he went up or may pass down the opposite steps. In many cases of entertainment steps must be provided in some manner and usually the steps are heavy and hard to quickly position at a desired point on the floor. By using the steps as shown in Fig. 2 the steps may be quickly positioned on the floor at any point desired by the dancer either before or during the dance and then quickly folded and removed.

I claim:

1. A combined valise and steps for theatrical dance entertainers comprising a structure which when in one position presents the appearance of a valise and when in another position presents the appearance of a pair of steps meeting at the top, said valise and steps being formed with a pair of base sections having step members on one surface, and a top section having steps coacting with the first mentioned steps and forming continuations thereof, said top member having a central platform whereby a dancer may dance up one side of the device over the platform and down the other side of the device.

2. A device of the character described including a pair of base sections formed identical, each section having a bottom member, step members and a top wall, a top section having a bottom member resting on the top walls of said sections and step formations on the opposite sides merging into a central platform, hinge members on each edge of the top section connecting the top section with the bottom sections, and a catch for holding the bottom sections assembled with the top section when the device is in assembled form.

3. A device of the character described including three nested members capable of being moved to present a double staircase, two of said members presenting base sections and the third member presenting a top section, all of said sections being formed with risers and treads arranged to merge into a platform in said top member.

4. A device of the character described including three members formed to present a rectangular body resembling the appearance of a valise when folded and presenting a pair of steps when unfolded, two of said members being formed hollow and provided with doors, there being one door for each member.

SIDNEY E. FEIST. 

